Definition
A published instrument procedure that guides an aircraft from the en route environment down to a point near an airport from which a landing can be made under instrument flight rules. TERPS criteria — formally Terminal Instrument Procedures — are the FAA design standards (in FAA Order 8260.3) used to construct instrument approach, departure, and arrival procedures, defining required obstacle clearance, descent gradients, and protected airspace around each segment.
Plain English
A TERP is a step-by-step instrument procedure that brings an aircraft safely from cruise altitude down to the runway when the pilot can't see outside. It's built using strict FAA rules that guarantee the aircraft will stay clear of terrain and obstacles all the way down.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when studying or briefing an approach to an airport.
Derivation
“Terminal” here means the area near the airport (the end, or terminus, of the flight) — not a building. “Instrument” refers to flying by reference to cockpit instruments rather than by looking outside. So a TERP is a procedure for the instrument-flying portion of flight in the airport area.
Why Pilots Care
TERPs ensure every instrument approach meets consistent safety standards so pilots can land without visual references.
Intuition Check
“Terminal” does not mean the airport building here — it means the area near the airport where the flight is ending. And “TERPS” is not a single approach; it's the rulebook used to design all of them.
Example Sentence 1
The minimum altitudes on this approach chart were established under TERPS criteria to keep us clear of the ridge east of the airport.
Example Sentence 2
Changes to the TERP required the crew to review the new minimums.